South Africa Employment Rate (2025)
South Africa's Employment Rate: 37.6 % of total population ages 15+ in 2025, -0.1pp YoY. World Bank (SL.EMP.TOTL.SP.ZS), 1990–2025.
South Africa (2025)
37.6
% of total population ages 15+
-0.1pp YoY
YoY Change
-0.1pp
percentage points
Trend
down
Series length
35
years of data
Data
| Year | % of total population ages 15+ | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 37.6 | -0.1pp |
| 2024 | 37.6 | +0.3pp |
| 2023 | 37.4 | +1.7pp |
| 2022 | 35.7 | +1.4pp |
| 2021 | 34.3 | -1.4pp |
| 2020 | 35.8 | -3.8pp |
| 2019 | 39.5 | -0.8pp |
| 2018 | 40.3 | -0.1pp |
| 2017 | 40.4 | +0.2pp |
| 2016 | 40.2 | -0.7pp |
| 2015 | 40.9 | +0.8pp |
| 2014 | 40 | +0pp |
| 2013 | 40 | +0.5pp |
| 2012 | 39.5 | +0.2pp |
| 2011 | 39.3 | -0pp |
| 2010 | 39.4 | -1.9pp |
| 2009 | 41.3 | -2pp |
| 2008 | 43.3 | -0.2pp |
| 2007 | 43.4 | -0.1pp |
| 2006 | 43.5 | n/a |
About this Dataset
South Africa recorded 37.6 % of total population ages 15+ in 2025. The most recent year-on-year change was -0.1pp. The historical series (1990–2025) shows a peak of 45 in 1996 and a trough of 34.3 in 2021.
Data sourced from World Bank Open Data API. Values use World Bank standardised methodology ensuring cross-country comparability.
The chart above shows the full historical trend; the table below lists annual values with year-on-year changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
This indicator tracks south africa employment rate in South Africa, published by World Bank. Data covers 1990–2025 at annual frequency using harmonised methodology.
The most recent observation covers 2025. World Bank typically publishes this series with a lag of several months after the reference period. Updated annual.
The series peaked at 45 % of total population ages 15+ in 1996 and reached its lowest recorded value of 34.3 in 2021. The latest reading of 37.6 in 2025 represents a year-on-year change of -0.1pp.